San Diego, California - The Certified Legal Intern Program of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office offers volunteer positions to law students who are interested in a career in the field of criminal law. Interns are expected to answer defense motions, conduct legal research, and appear in court with a supervising attorney. All Certified Legal Interns work closely with Deputy District Attorneys in all phases of prosecution.
Interns may be assigned to work in any one of a variety of divisions within the Office, as well as to any of the locations served by the Office, according to staffing needs. In addition to the Hall of Justice downtown, branch offices are located in the South Bay, East County, North County and Kearny Mesa areas.
The Certified Legal Intern Program is divided into two categories: (1) Summer Legal Interns; and (2) Fall/Spring Legal Interns. The Summer Legal Internship program is a volunteer internship position open to 2L students. The Fall/Spring Legal Internship program is a volunteer position open to 2L and 3L students who are enrolled in the local San Diego area law schools.
Training
Every Certified Legal Intern participates in an introductory training course before being assigned into a particular division. Experienced trial deputies administer this training to familiarize Certified Legal Interns with the California criminal justice process and our Office. After the initial training, each Certified Legal Intern will receive on the job mentorship from an experienced prosecutor who will provide relevant training for each assignment.
All Certified Legal Interns are expected to apply with the State Bar for their certification. Such certification status allows those then Certified Legal Interns to research, write, and argue motions, conduct preliminary hearings, assist in the preparation of serious felony cases including such crimes as rape, felony assault, kidnap or murder trials.
Fall/Spring Intern Application Process
The Fall Legal Intern program and Spring Legal Intern program are separate volunteer internship positions open to 2L and 3L law students who attend California Western School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law and the University of San Diego School of Law.
The requirements for the Fall/Spring Legal Intern position are as follows:
- 2L or 3L status and completion of or enrollment in Evidence and Civil Procedure
- Resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript
- Must be available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week
- Grade point average of 3.0
- Subject to background clearance
If you have worked for our Office before, please include in your application the names of any supervisors to whom you have previously been assigned or other DDAs who can speak to your work.
Employment in the 2018 Spring Legal Intern Program would begin in January 2018. Applications for the position will be due in early September 2017. Please coordinate with your respective law school about applying through their on-campus interviewing application process. On-campus interviewing at California Western School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law and the University of San Diego School of Law is anticipated to occur in late September 2017. More specific information for application deadlines and interview schedules will be available in July 2017.
Employment in the 2018 Fall Legal Intern Program would begin in September 2018. Applications for the position will be due in early February 2018. Please coordinate with your respective law school about applying through their on-campus interviewing application process. On-campus interviewing at California Western School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law and the University of San Diego School of Law is anticipated to occur in late February 2018. More specific information for application deadlines and interview schedules will be available in January 2018.
Frank Jackson and Melissa Diaz, Hiring Deputy – Fall and Spring Legal Intern Program
Office of the District Attorney
330 W. Broadway, Suite 940
San Diego, CA 92101
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Elaine Gomez
Office of the District Attorney
330 W. Broadway, Suite 1300
San Diego, CA 92101
Summer Legal Intern Application Process
The Summer Legal Intern program is a volunteer internship position open to 2L students only. These internship positions can provide invaluable experience to law students interested in a career in the field of criminal law. Summer Legal Interns work closely with Deputy District Attorneys in all phases of prosecution. Employment in this position would start in May 2018 and end in August 2018
Last year our Office had Summer Legal Interns from 21 different law schools. We hope to continue to attract dedicated, diverse, and passionate law students who aspire to pursue a career in criminal prosecution.
The requirements for the Summer Legal Intern position are as follows:
- 2L Status and completion of Evidence and Civil Procedure Courses
- Resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcript
- Must be available to work a minimum of 40 hours per week
- Grade Point Average of 3.0
- Subject to background clearance
If you have worked for our office before, please include in your application the names of any supervisors to whom you have been previously assigned or other DDAs who can speak to your work.
Please coordinate with your respective law school about any potential funding available through your institution for these volunteer positions. Some law schools also provide for school credit for participation in our Summer Legal Internship program. While the Office would prefer a commitment by Summer Legal Interns to work the entire summer, splitting the summer with another employer will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For the Summer Intern position, interviewing will take place either through on-campus interviewing or through Skype/teleconferencing in mid-to-late September 2017, and offers will be sent out in October 2017. More specific information for application deadlines and interview schedules will be available in July 2017.
To apply for the Summer Legal Intern position, please submit a (1) Resume, (2) Cover Letter, (3) Official or Unofficial Transcript, (4) only if you have previously worked for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, the names of any supervisors to whom you have previously been assigned or other DDAs from our Office who can speak to your work. Please submit the materials as a SINGLE PDF through email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The applications will be due in early September 2017.
Note for applicants for which our Office conducts on-campus interviewing: Please apply through your law schools' Symplicity website. You do NOT need to send the requested materials directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Your law school will organize and provide us with the requisite materials. If you are unsure if our Office is conducting on-campus interviews at your school, please email your Career Service Office.
Note for California Western School of Law, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, and University of San Diego School of Law applicants: Even if you intend to apply for a Fall or Spring Legal Intern position with our Office, it is still necessary to apply before the deadline for the Summer Legal Internship position. Holdover internships from Spring 2018 until Summer 2018 will not be allowed.
Robert Eacret and Jessica Coto, Hiring Deputies – Summer Legal Intern Program
Office of the District Attorney
330 W. Broadway, Suite 1200
San Diego, CA 92101
Elaine Gomez
Office of the District Attorney
330 W. Broadway, Suite 1300
San Diego, CA 92101